Note to chew on: insect damage to musical instruments

Abstract

Insects have a diverse range of ecologies that leaves many pre-adapted to exploiting manufactured products as food sources, including musical instruments. To review what is known and to make recommendations for preventing and managing insect damage to musical instruments, we conducted a systematic search and a narrative review of the area. Of 339 papers, only eight peer-reviewed publications met the inclusion criteria, and all were on xylophagous insects causing damage to wooden instruments. To supplement this material, we report a case of damage to the key pads (composed of felt enclosed in fish buoyancy bladder skin) of a clarinet by carpet beetles (Anthrenus verbasci (Dermestidae)), the first reported case of non-woody damage and the first instance of insect damage rendering an instrument unplayable. To avoid such damage, regular inspection of instruments is recommended, and rapid treatment of any insect infestations in the immediate environment that could extend to affecting stored instruments. Instruments themselves can be extremely expensive, and if insects are still present these should only be treated by an expert; instrument cases can be more easily dealt with by heat treatment (black plastic bag in the sun) or application of a residual insecticide.